St. Landry democrat., 1887-09-24

]
theatre was the Theatre de Cluny and the
manager was Larochelle.
Paris has a "Society Of Decorative
Arts" the object Of which is to vulgar
lie amongst the people and especially
amongst the workmen employed in art
workshops the aesthetic ideas and learn
ing which have so far been the privileges
of favored few" To this end it dis
tributes to the schools, the manufactures
and the provincial museums fac-similes
OF interesting artistic masterpieces of
all times and ages. Everybody cannot
travel into foreign lands to study the ex-
amples and traditions of ancient art nor
can these relics of past ages-sOme of
them OF priceless value-be carted about
for exhibition. But the French work
man, who is naturally clever in matters
Of this kind, has, thanks to the techni-
cal education given by the Society of
Decorative Arts, succeeded in prOduc-
ing copies of old-time objects which are
the despair of collectors and antiquaries.
The connoisseur who pays $4,000, IS, 1000
or even 100000 for some ancient vase or
other may some day find in a country
museum cunning reproduction of
this very thing-the same cOlOra-
ton, the same aged appearance,
the same raised work, every boss throw
ing Just such shadows as are in the orig
inal. These effects are produced by the
electrotype process and the use of gutta-
percha molds the invention of an anna
teur, counselor in the law court of
Rouen, who may perhaps some day have
to sit in Judgment upon sWindler ac-
cused of using this means to dupe cred
ulous antiquary. AS | write the Society
of Decorative Arts is holding an exhibit
ton in the Palace of Industry. Besides
French productions, the show includes
exhibits from Vienna, Buda-Pesth, the
South kensington Museum at London,
the Brussels Monumental and Industrial
Art Museum. and even the Berlin Mu-
scum. 4Estheticism prevails over poll
tics. From Berlin have come gOblets, re-
liquaries, and other curiositics the orig
inals of which-in the Luneburg Mu
seum-are Of great value. There is a
large jar in silver repOusse, dated about
1910, with a design representing Saint
Christopher carrying the infant Jesus.
Another, in silver gilt, common crates
the "EictOry of Professionalism over the
ad-interim religion of Augsburg" 1552
1860; from Austria splendid silver
tripod, representing dolphins mounted
by Cupds-original in the museum at
Buda-Pesth. Space fails for adequate
description of other beautiful and inter-
esting exhibits from Belgium and Eng
land.
Another most curious exhibition will
be opened in few days. 1t may be
called the "Smugglers' Museum" In
France, whenever anything to eat, drink,
smoke or wear is introduced into a town
by trader, he is called upon to pay a
duty, or octroi. Consequently there is
as much organized smuggling in this
country now as there is or ever was at
sea, and the contrivances used by the
smugglers are extensive and peculiar.
Thanks to the facilities afforded journal
lists for private view, | am able to de-
scribe some of them. AS the museum is
established on the upper floors of the
Paris custom house, one is naturally anX
ious to know how they hoisted that ire
there. If you touch it, however, you find
that it may be moved with the finger, be-
ing simply sheet-iron receptacle which,
when seized, contained $4,000 worth of
Struggled Venice lace. There are lot
of fagots in corner of the museum, each
one made of metal covered with bark,
and used for smuggling cigars. The
rolls of cloth there were full of brandy
as they passed into the city. Another
smuggling continuance is stack
of four dozen plates-apparently. In
a distant part of the room sat a
footman in livery, fast asleep, his
arms folded, his head upon his breast.
A vigorous push upset him and made
him give forth a metallic sound. There
is zinc tlunky with head and hands of
wax, and he was used as large
alcohol bottle, by gentleman smuggler
who drove into Paris in his private carr
riage. One day collision occurred the
servants head was broken, but instead
of blood there gushed out fine cham
payne, or Al brandy. What appeared to
be millstones are in reality tobacco boxes
1ndia-rubber dress improvers are used for
bringing in cigars, tobacco or brandy,
and there is brandy pumpkin" which
was seized because pumpkins were out
of season, and therefore suspicious.
exhibit is a coffin which con-
veyed many cholera victim" through
the gates of Marse1lles three years ago,
but at last 'contraband corpse" was
taken out There are gutta- percha
babies, which may be filled with any
kind of liquor, and also bag-like appli-
ances, which may be concealed under the
clothes of women.
With the quiet tropical heat prevail
ing here, all who can are glad to get away
and cool themselves somewhere, if only
as far as the fortitications. All the ia
vorite watering places are having good
time, particularly Trouville, which is
almost given up to Americans, with
good sprinkling of Parisians of the sock
and buskin family. Mr.. Vanderbilt has
arrived at Havre in his splendid yacht
Alva. This boat and the Eros of Baron
Rothschild are daily visited by admiring
crowds.
Madame Huot, the lady leader of the
Partisan anti-vivisection school, has been
holding meeting, supported by other
strong minded ladies. There were pres
mt number of medical students and
hree Chinese mandarins. The cutting
ID of live animals was shown by means
If diagrams, and Madame Huot then be-
ran to lecture on the scientific martyr
lom of helpless creatures. The students
,egan to howl and the proceedings were
cry disorderly for time. The speaker
hen referred to MN. Paul Bert
nd Pasteur when the reference